1916 Campaign - Royal Navy
- Thread starter saddletank
- Start date
saddletank
Forum Conscript
Re: 1916 Campaign
Thanks.
I have actually got to 2nd February now, I tend to let the updates here drag behind what I'm doing in case I need to edit anything or later events affect how I report earlier ones, but right now the war is in a phase of relentless patrolling, blockading, capturing merchant ships, doing lots of boring repeat mine laying sorties and nothing else. It really grinds on the nerves after a while, so in one way it's quite realistic. It is a shame the game doesn't have an auto-minelaying order that you can give to a task force so that it just goes and does that continually until you tell it to stop.
It is a case now of waiting for the Germans to come out... but I don't think they will for a while since I still have two battlecruisers under repair from the 13th and they were only lightly damaged. The Germans had four damaged, all of them as bad as mine and in Derfflinger's case worse. I am unsure how the AI plays this game when it has significant capital ships damaged. It would be stupid to send them out on a sortie and slow their whole force down so I'm guessing we won't see the Germans sortie again until at least the middle of February.
Thanks.
I have actually got to 2nd February now, I tend to let the updates here drag behind what I'm doing in case I need to edit anything or later events affect how I report earlier ones, but right now the war is in a phase of relentless patrolling, blockading, capturing merchant ships, doing lots of boring repeat mine laying sorties and nothing else. It really grinds on the nerves after a while, so in one way it's quite realistic. It is a shame the game doesn't have an auto-minelaying order that you can give to a task force so that it just goes and does that continually until you tell it to stop.
It is a case now of waiting for the Germans to come out... but I don't think they will for a while since I still have two battlecruisers under repair from the 13th and they were only lightly damaged. The Germans had four damaged, all of them as bad as mine and in Derfflinger's case worse. I am unsure how the AI plays this game when it has significant capital ships damaged. It would be stupid to send them out on a sortie and slow their whole force down so I'm guessing we won't see the Germans sortie again until at least the middle of February.
Re: 1916 Campaign
We are on the coast of Virginia so we're waiting to see what Hurricane Earl does in the next couple of day. If it continues on the current plot we shouldn't see a great deal of action. If it veers to the west things could get a bit rough around the old homestead......
We are on the coast of Virginia so we're waiting to see what Hurricane Earl does in the next couple of day. If it continues on the current plot we shouldn't see a great deal of action. If it veers to the west things could get a bit rough around the old homestead......
Bullethead
Storm Eagle Studios
Re: 1916 Campaign
. 2 years ago today, Hurricane Gustav was busy leveling my part of the world....
Good luck with that. I hope it levels Washington DC instead of hitting anything I care about
. 2 years ago today, Hurricane Gustav was busy leveling my part of the world....saddletank
Forum Conscript
Re: 1916 Campaign
Not sure if those two posts are in the right forum... but anyway back on topic...
25 JAN
------
Our light forces penetrated the Bight at 9:00pm, Harwich Force some 50km E of Dunkerque Force which laid mines in the usual location. At 2:02am when Harwich Force was steaming at 22kts, course 000, 27km NNW Helgoland an enemy destroyer was seen 2,500m ahead on course 225. The centre and port pairs of Tyrwhitt's cruisers - Arethusa and Conquest, and Cleopatra and Penelope all observed the small darkened ship at nearly the same time and a heavy fire was brought to bear on the German boat at once.
The German boat fired three torpedoes at Cleopatra but she manoeuvred away and two passed astern of her and ahead of Penelope and one astern of the second cruiser. The enemy boat which was identified as the V.153 was seen to drift away to the south west, listing heavily and on fire.
Several sweeps were made on reciprocal courses during darkness but no other enemy were encountered. When day dawned the sea was empty of enemy but at 7:43am 49km NNW Helgoland V.152 was sighted. She was engaged by the French destroyers of Dunkerque Force but retreated. The Helgoland batteries then opened fire, Fanion being hit at 8:03am and her speed reduced to 25kts. She was hit again at 8:20am, her boiler feed water pipes being contaminated and her speed falling to 7kts. The operation was abandoned at 8:37am when contact was lost with V.152 heading on a course of 180 for Wilhelmshaven. Fanion sank at 8:34am, her crew being taken off by other boats in her squadron, and all ships turned SW for home.
At 8:46am 19km E of Helgoland, enemy destroyer V.156 was sighted far to the NW but it was too fast to catch. Similarly the V.155 was sighted to the SW but it too fled at maximum speed and the French destroyers and Fearless class light cruisers could not keep up with the retreating enemy. A Norwegian cargo vessel was sighted to the NE and chased by Active and Fearless. She surrendered at 9:05am near Pellworm and Nordstrand islands (N/S).
At 3:10pm Penelope & Cleopatra captured an American freighter 40km NW Cuxhaven. At 8:30pm all forces quit the German Bight (A/S).
Despite the capture of two neutral merchant ships and the probable sinking of one destroyer, this operation was considered a failure. The loss of the Fanion was entirely preventable. In future, sweeps of the Bight must be undertaken only in darkness when the German guns on Helgoland do not dominate these seas and only the most modern fast cruisers and destroyers are to be employed. The presence of the older Fearless class of light cruisers and the French destroyers, most being able to make only 27kts or 28kts are quite unsuited to the pursuit of the German boats which appear to be able to make in excess of 30kts in calm seas. A second sweep shall be considered at a future time but Dunkerque Force is hereby no longer authorized to venture east of the Ems at 53deg 51min N, 6deg 48min E. The cruisers of 6th Light Cruiser Squadron are to be considered as scouts and defensive vessels only, protecting the mine layer Pluton.
* * *
6:55am in the Pentland Firth South of Scapa, destroyer Mermaid of the Scapa Defence Patrol captured a Swedish cargo ship (S/K).
7:28am 26km W of Lerwick, AMC Alcantara of 10th CS captured an American cargo ship (A/S).
10:30am Dover Patrol 1st Flotilla observed an American steamer coming out of the Rhine below Antwerp. Manouvering outside the Zeebrugge shore battery range the six destroyers closed in and followed the neutral back up the river, capturing her at 11:05am (A/S).
11:08am AMC Patia of 10th CS captured a Swedish freighter 20km N of the Shetland Is (S/K).
3:49pm Excepting Donegal, which is still in dockyard hands, Channel Fleet reported ready for duty.
10:00pm During the absence of Harwich Force in the Bight, mine layer Abdiel ordered to make a fast, unescorted mining duty off Zeebrugge.
11:55pm Grand Fleet Aviation force now assembled at Rosyth: 2nd CS, 3rd LCS (less Falmouth under repair), 6 destroyers and 3 sea plane tenders. Awaiting return of Harwich Force and to be refuelled before Tondern Raid operation may commence.
Not sure if those two posts are in the right forum... but anyway back on topic...
25 JAN
------
Our light forces penetrated the Bight at 9:00pm, Harwich Force some 50km E of Dunkerque Force which laid mines in the usual location. At 2:02am when Harwich Force was steaming at 22kts, course 000, 27km NNW Helgoland an enemy destroyer was seen 2,500m ahead on course 225. The centre and port pairs of Tyrwhitt's cruisers - Arethusa and Conquest, and Cleopatra and Penelope all observed the small darkened ship at nearly the same time and a heavy fire was brought to bear on the German boat at once.
The German boat fired three torpedoes at Cleopatra but she manoeuvred away and two passed astern of her and ahead of Penelope and one astern of the second cruiser. The enemy boat which was identified as the V.153 was seen to drift away to the south west, listing heavily and on fire.
Several sweeps were made on reciprocal courses during darkness but no other enemy were encountered. When day dawned the sea was empty of enemy but at 7:43am 49km NNW Helgoland V.152 was sighted. She was engaged by the French destroyers of Dunkerque Force but retreated. The Helgoland batteries then opened fire, Fanion being hit at 8:03am and her speed reduced to 25kts. She was hit again at 8:20am, her boiler feed water pipes being contaminated and her speed falling to 7kts. The operation was abandoned at 8:37am when contact was lost with V.152 heading on a course of 180 for Wilhelmshaven. Fanion sank at 8:34am, her crew being taken off by other boats in her squadron, and all ships turned SW for home.
At 8:46am 19km E of Helgoland, enemy destroyer V.156 was sighted far to the NW but it was too fast to catch. Similarly the V.155 was sighted to the SW but it too fled at maximum speed and the French destroyers and Fearless class light cruisers could not keep up with the retreating enemy. A Norwegian cargo vessel was sighted to the NE and chased by Active and Fearless. She surrendered at 9:05am near Pellworm and Nordstrand islands (N/S).
At 3:10pm Penelope & Cleopatra captured an American freighter 40km NW Cuxhaven. At 8:30pm all forces quit the German Bight (A/S).
Despite the capture of two neutral merchant ships and the probable sinking of one destroyer, this operation was considered a failure. The loss of the Fanion was entirely preventable. In future, sweeps of the Bight must be undertaken only in darkness when the German guns on Helgoland do not dominate these seas and only the most modern fast cruisers and destroyers are to be employed. The presence of the older Fearless class of light cruisers and the French destroyers, most being able to make only 27kts or 28kts are quite unsuited to the pursuit of the German boats which appear to be able to make in excess of 30kts in calm seas. A second sweep shall be considered at a future time but Dunkerque Force is hereby no longer authorized to venture east of the Ems at 53deg 51min N, 6deg 48min E. The cruisers of 6th Light Cruiser Squadron are to be considered as scouts and defensive vessels only, protecting the mine layer Pluton.
* * *
6:55am in the Pentland Firth South of Scapa, destroyer Mermaid of the Scapa Defence Patrol captured a Swedish cargo ship (S/K).
7:28am 26km W of Lerwick, AMC Alcantara of 10th CS captured an American cargo ship (A/S).
10:30am Dover Patrol 1st Flotilla observed an American steamer coming out of the Rhine below Antwerp. Manouvering outside the Zeebrugge shore battery range the six destroyers closed in and followed the neutral back up the river, capturing her at 11:05am (A/S).
11:08am AMC Patia of 10th CS captured a Swedish freighter 20km N of the Shetland Is (S/K).
3:49pm Excepting Donegal, which is still in dockyard hands, Channel Fleet reported ready for duty.
10:00pm During the absence of Harwich Force in the Bight, mine layer Abdiel ordered to make a fast, unescorted mining duty off Zeebrugge.
11:55pm Grand Fleet Aviation force now assembled at Rosyth: 2nd CS, 3rd LCS (less Falmouth under repair), 6 destroyers and 3 sea plane tenders. Awaiting return of Harwich Force and to be refuelled before Tondern Raid operation may commence.
saddletank
Forum Conscript
Re: 1916 Campaign
26 JAN
------
3:12am Abdiel completed laying 80 mines off Zeebrugge.
3:10pm 110km N Lerwick AMC Arlanza of 10th CS captured a Swedish cargo ship.
5:01pm Dunkerque Force returned to harbour and immediately commenced coaling. The Tondern Raid will proceed today. Harwich force will steam to a position west of Tondern, lay mines and stand a patrol for five hours. Grand Fleet Aviation force will assemble 75km W of Esbjerg and deploy seaplanes to attack the Zeppelin sheds and gas plant. Deployment, transition to and from the target and recovery is estimated to take 5 hours. Battlecruiser Fleet (less Queen Mary and Australia under repair since the 13th) will stand a patrol 25km NW of Grand Fleet Aviation and GF itself will stand a patrol 50km NW of BCF. Dunkerque Force will lay mines off the Ems and Channel Fleet will patrol in support 75km to W of the Ems estuary.
Meticulous planning was done to ensure the six independent forces arrived at their allotted patrol positions at the same time; 6:00am on the 29th January:
1) Grand Fleet Aviation, distance 675km at 17kts requires 21.4 hours. Depart Rosyth 8:30am 28th - issue orders to weigh at 7:30am.
2) Grand Fleet, distance 550km at 17kts requires 17.5 hours. Depart Scapa 12:30pm 28th - issue orders to weigh at 11:30am.
3) Battlecruiser Fleet, distance 650km at 21kts requires 16.7 hours. Depart Rosyth 1:30pm 28th - issue orders to weigh at 12:30pm.
4) Channel Fleet, distance 350km at 15kts requires 13 hours. Depart the Nore at 5:00pm 28th - issue orders to weigh at 4:00pm.
5) Dunkerque Force, distance 400km at 17kts requires 12.7 hours. Depart Dunkerque 5:30pm 28th - issue orders to weigh at 4:30pm.
6) Harwich Force, distance 450km at 22kts requires 11 hours. Depart Harwich at 7:00pm 28th - issue orders to weigh at 6:00pm.
27 JAN
------
2:30am Harwich force departed to lay mines off Horns Reef light.
4:45am 50km S Scapa Flow destroyer Roebuck of Scapa Defence Flotilla captured a Norwegian cargo ship.
12:18pm the master of the British cargo ship Vancouver wirelessed that his ship was in the German Bight, SW of Helgoland and steaming SW and being pursued by a German destroyer. No further messages were received. Their Lordships cannot fathom why some British masters insist on taking the shortcut from Amsterdam to Esbjerg via enemy controlled waters. Two to date have attempted it and both have been captured. All we can do is send a further fast sweep into the Bight in an attempt to clear out the remaining German patrol vessels. Harwich Force will be allocated this task at the next available opportunity.
1:38pm - 2:05pm Harwich Force mine layer Abdiel laid 80 mines. Due to the proximity of Harwich Force to the last reported position of SS Vancouver and taking the time of day into consideration (failing light) it was decided to order Tyrwhitt home via the Bight in the hope that he might encounter and sink some of the German patrols.
At just before 3:00pm, 51km W of Tondern, Harwich Force was on course 180 off the coast of Sylt - the port-hand pair of 5th LCS' cruisers, Cleopatra and Penelope, were 2500m off the beach - when Arethusa's forward lookouts observed smoke on the southern horizon distant 22km. The entire force was ordered to make utmost speed, the M Class destroyers of 10th Flotilla being urged to make 35kts in order to catch the enemy ship before dark. The unknown vessel was quickly identified as a German torpedoboat and she held her course N, the range quickly falling. Why she did not turn and run as these boats had previously done was a mystery.
The enemy kept on and at 3:08pm Arethusa opened fire at 10,000m, Conquest joining in at 3:09pm, both ships having turned to 160 to employ their broadsides. The enemy ship began to be hit at 3:12pm as the starboard pair of British cruisers, Undaunted and Aurora, joined the fight. The German boat steamed directly towards the centre of our formation and was a sinking wreck within six or seven minutes. She turned to starboard and cut through the column of 9th DF just ahead of Landrail and made her way, sinking, towards the shallows off the island of Sylt where she beached herself in the growing dusk. As she passed she was identified as V.152.
As the sinking enemy was left astern a second German torpedoboat appeared in the south, at 16km. This second boat, steering 315 from the waters between Fohr and Amrum was engaged by Cleopatra and Penelope at 3:26pm. It was identified at 3:32pm as V.155 as our two cruisers passed it going south. The enemy appeared to be attempting a torpedo attack as he turned towards our ships and then ran parallel for a short time but then withdrew, possibly her steering was jammed. It was noted that even at point blank range Penelope's shooting was poor, most of the hits being made by Cleopatra, the leading cruiser. By 3:35 the enemy boat was crippled and limping away NE at 15kts towards the southern tip of Sylt.
At 5:16pm 16km SSE of Helgoland Tyrwhitt encountered the elusive third German boat that had evaded us on a prior and disappointing occasion. This was V.156 and she was encountered in the gloom at 4,000m fine on Cleopatra's port bow. The two British ships turned from 180 to 150 to use their broadsides but the German boat swung away to 045. Our two cruisers turned to 105 and then 090 in pursuit by which time the target was much damaged and slowing down. Cleopatra then turned to 065 to close in and finish off the enemy before he slipped away in the gathering dark. Action was broken off at 5:30pm and Harwich Force turned west to leave the Bight.
With three enemy destroyers sunk without loss Tyrwhitt considered this a more successful operation and conducting the sweep in failing light assisted greatly in locating the enemy at much closer ranges where he could be dealt with swiftly. Sadly the operation was not without loss. Upon exiting the Bight at 8:40pm Penelope struck a mine in the area where Loyal had been mined on the last operation. She shipped several hundred tons of water and her speed fell to 18kts. This was critical as it lowered Harwich Force's cruising speed to 15kts and at that speed the ships would not return to Harwich in time to rearm, refuel and return to sea to screen the Tondern raid. Tragically, 25km further west when the force was considered out in safe waters, destroyer Morris struck a mine and exploded, sinking in under a minute with all but six of her crew.
Once clear of the German minefields the destroyers Laverock and Lassoo were detailed to escort Penelope and the cruiser was detached, the remainder of Harwich Force going on ahead.
The loss of Morris was a bitter blow, she is the most modern and useful boat we have lost this year, though the loss of two of our newest submarines, E.22 and F.1 are as damaging.
26 JAN
------
3:12am Abdiel completed laying 80 mines off Zeebrugge.
3:10pm 110km N Lerwick AMC Arlanza of 10th CS captured a Swedish cargo ship.
5:01pm Dunkerque Force returned to harbour and immediately commenced coaling. The Tondern Raid will proceed today. Harwich force will steam to a position west of Tondern, lay mines and stand a patrol for five hours. Grand Fleet Aviation force will assemble 75km W of Esbjerg and deploy seaplanes to attack the Zeppelin sheds and gas plant. Deployment, transition to and from the target and recovery is estimated to take 5 hours. Battlecruiser Fleet (less Queen Mary and Australia under repair since the 13th) will stand a patrol 25km NW of Grand Fleet Aviation and GF itself will stand a patrol 50km NW of BCF. Dunkerque Force will lay mines off the Ems and Channel Fleet will patrol in support 75km to W of the Ems estuary.
Meticulous planning was done to ensure the six independent forces arrived at their allotted patrol positions at the same time; 6:00am on the 29th January:
1) Grand Fleet Aviation, distance 675km at 17kts requires 21.4 hours. Depart Rosyth 8:30am 28th - issue orders to weigh at 7:30am.
2) Grand Fleet, distance 550km at 17kts requires 17.5 hours. Depart Scapa 12:30pm 28th - issue orders to weigh at 11:30am.
3) Battlecruiser Fleet, distance 650km at 21kts requires 16.7 hours. Depart Rosyth 1:30pm 28th - issue orders to weigh at 12:30pm.
4) Channel Fleet, distance 350km at 15kts requires 13 hours. Depart the Nore at 5:00pm 28th - issue orders to weigh at 4:00pm.
5) Dunkerque Force, distance 400km at 17kts requires 12.7 hours. Depart Dunkerque 5:30pm 28th - issue orders to weigh at 4:30pm.
6) Harwich Force, distance 450km at 22kts requires 11 hours. Depart Harwich at 7:00pm 28th - issue orders to weigh at 6:00pm.
27 JAN
------
2:30am Harwich force departed to lay mines off Horns Reef light.
4:45am 50km S Scapa Flow destroyer Roebuck of Scapa Defence Flotilla captured a Norwegian cargo ship.
12:18pm the master of the British cargo ship Vancouver wirelessed that his ship was in the German Bight, SW of Helgoland and steaming SW and being pursued by a German destroyer. No further messages were received. Their Lordships cannot fathom why some British masters insist on taking the shortcut from Amsterdam to Esbjerg via enemy controlled waters. Two to date have attempted it and both have been captured. All we can do is send a further fast sweep into the Bight in an attempt to clear out the remaining German patrol vessels. Harwich Force will be allocated this task at the next available opportunity.
1:38pm - 2:05pm Harwich Force mine layer Abdiel laid 80 mines. Due to the proximity of Harwich Force to the last reported position of SS Vancouver and taking the time of day into consideration (failing light) it was decided to order Tyrwhitt home via the Bight in the hope that he might encounter and sink some of the German patrols.
At just before 3:00pm, 51km W of Tondern, Harwich Force was on course 180 off the coast of Sylt - the port-hand pair of 5th LCS' cruisers, Cleopatra and Penelope, were 2500m off the beach - when Arethusa's forward lookouts observed smoke on the southern horizon distant 22km. The entire force was ordered to make utmost speed, the M Class destroyers of 10th Flotilla being urged to make 35kts in order to catch the enemy ship before dark. The unknown vessel was quickly identified as a German torpedoboat and she held her course N, the range quickly falling. Why she did not turn and run as these boats had previously done was a mystery.
The enemy kept on and at 3:08pm Arethusa opened fire at 10,000m, Conquest joining in at 3:09pm, both ships having turned to 160 to employ their broadsides. The enemy ship began to be hit at 3:12pm as the starboard pair of British cruisers, Undaunted and Aurora, joined the fight. The German boat steamed directly towards the centre of our formation and was a sinking wreck within six or seven minutes. She turned to starboard and cut through the column of 9th DF just ahead of Landrail and made her way, sinking, towards the shallows off the island of Sylt where she beached herself in the growing dusk. As she passed she was identified as V.152.
As the sinking enemy was left astern a second German torpedoboat appeared in the south, at 16km. This second boat, steering 315 from the waters between Fohr and Amrum was engaged by Cleopatra and Penelope at 3:26pm. It was identified at 3:32pm as V.155 as our two cruisers passed it going south. The enemy appeared to be attempting a torpedo attack as he turned towards our ships and then ran parallel for a short time but then withdrew, possibly her steering was jammed. It was noted that even at point blank range Penelope's shooting was poor, most of the hits being made by Cleopatra, the leading cruiser. By 3:35 the enemy boat was crippled and limping away NE at 15kts towards the southern tip of Sylt.
At 5:16pm 16km SSE of Helgoland Tyrwhitt encountered the elusive third German boat that had evaded us on a prior and disappointing occasion. This was V.156 and she was encountered in the gloom at 4,000m fine on Cleopatra's port bow. The two British ships turned from 180 to 150 to use their broadsides but the German boat swung away to 045. Our two cruisers turned to 105 and then 090 in pursuit by which time the target was much damaged and slowing down. Cleopatra then turned to 065 to close in and finish off the enemy before he slipped away in the gathering dark. Action was broken off at 5:30pm and Harwich Force turned west to leave the Bight.
With three enemy destroyers sunk without loss Tyrwhitt considered this a more successful operation and conducting the sweep in failing light assisted greatly in locating the enemy at much closer ranges where he could be dealt with swiftly. Sadly the operation was not without loss. Upon exiting the Bight at 8:40pm Penelope struck a mine in the area where Loyal had been mined on the last operation. She shipped several hundred tons of water and her speed fell to 18kts. This was critical as it lowered Harwich Force's cruising speed to 15kts and at that speed the ships would not return to Harwich in time to rearm, refuel and return to sea to screen the Tondern raid. Tragically, 25km further west when the force was considered out in safe waters, destroyer Morris struck a mine and exploded, sinking in under a minute with all but six of her crew.
Once clear of the German minefields the destroyers Laverock and Lassoo were detailed to escort Penelope and the cruiser was detached, the remainder of Harwich Force going on ahead.
The loss of Morris was a bitter blow, she is the most modern and useful boat we have lost this year, though the loss of two of our newest submarines, E.22 and F.1 are as damaging.
saddletank
Forum Conscript
Re: 1916 Campaign
28 JAN
------
12:22am 29km WSW Scapa in the Pentland Firth, destroyer Racehorse captured a Swedish cargo ship.
7:30am Tondern raid commences. Grand Fleet Aviation ordered to weigh and proceed to sea, to 75km W of Esbjerg.
9:00am Torpedo boat Nr.23 working out of Berwick-upon-Tweed sunk after being torpedoed.
11:32am Grand Fleet ordered to weigh and proceed to sea, to 150km WNW Esbjerg.
12:31pm Battlecruiser Fleet ordered to weigh and proceed to sea, to 100km WNW Esbjerg.
2:35pm Penelope reaches Harwich and is put into dock for repairs. Laverock and Lassoo rejoin Harwich Force. Once more, a sweep of the Bight has returned mixed fortunes. Three old enemy destroyers sunk in exchange for the loss of one modern M Class of ours, plus Penelope out of service for a week or more. In both Bight operations losses have occurred when leaving by the western exit. In future Harwich Force will enter and leave by the northern route.
4:00pm Channel Fleet ordered to weigh and proceed to sea, to 125km WNW Emden.
4:31pm Dunkerque Force ordered to weigh and proceed to sea, to 50km NNW Emden.
6:02pm Harwich Force ordered to weigh and proceed to sea, to 50km W Tondern. All elements of the raid are now in motion. We shall sit back and watch events.
11:56pm, 36Km NNW Rotterdam, Dunkerque force encountered a Norwegian cargo ship crossing astern of their formation from SE to NW. The rear destroyer of 3rd squadron in the starboard column, Fleuret turned around to challenge and then capture the neutral.
28 JAN
------
12:22am 29km WSW Scapa in the Pentland Firth, destroyer Racehorse captured a Swedish cargo ship.
7:30am Tondern raid commences. Grand Fleet Aviation ordered to weigh and proceed to sea, to 75km W of Esbjerg.
9:00am Torpedo boat Nr.23 working out of Berwick-upon-Tweed sunk after being torpedoed.
11:32am Grand Fleet ordered to weigh and proceed to sea, to 150km WNW Esbjerg.
12:31pm Battlecruiser Fleet ordered to weigh and proceed to sea, to 100km WNW Esbjerg.
2:35pm Penelope reaches Harwich and is put into dock for repairs. Laverock and Lassoo rejoin Harwich Force. Once more, a sweep of the Bight has returned mixed fortunes. Three old enemy destroyers sunk in exchange for the loss of one modern M Class of ours, plus Penelope out of service for a week or more. In both Bight operations losses have occurred when leaving by the western exit. In future Harwich Force will enter and leave by the northern route.
4:00pm Channel Fleet ordered to weigh and proceed to sea, to 125km WNW Emden.
4:31pm Dunkerque Force ordered to weigh and proceed to sea, to 50km NNW Emden.
6:02pm Harwich Force ordered to weigh and proceed to sea, to 50km W Tondern. All elements of the raid are now in motion. We shall sit back and watch events.
11:56pm, 36Km NNW Rotterdam, Dunkerque force encountered a Norwegian cargo ship crossing astern of their formation from SE to NW. The rear destroyer of 3rd squadron in the starboard column, Fleuret turned around to challenge and then capture the neutral.
saddletank
Forum Conscript
Re: 1916 Campaign
29 JAN
------
At 6:00am it became apparent that our staff work had failed. None of the separate forces moving to their designated patrol areas were in position yet though each was in the correct relationship. Forces would all be approximately four hours late arriving at their deployment zones. Given that we had 5.5 hours of daylight remaining at that point this margin was considered borderline but the operation went ahead.
Beatty with the BCF arrived at his patrol position at 9:00am. Grand Fleet Aviation arrived 75km off Esjberg at 10:15am. There was barely time to deploy the seaplanes, reach Tondern and return. It would be getting dark at 4:00pm. Nevertheless the pilots and observers were all keen to undertaken the operation and the planes began being hoisted out at 10:23am. There was, however, no sign of Harwich Force which was still 30km to the SW. Channel Fleet arrived at its designated patrol area at 10:40am and Dunkerque Force at 11:00am, completing minelaying at 11:30am. Harwich Force finally rendezvoused south of the aviation squadron at 11:15am and proceeded SE to lay mines E of Tondern.
The first aircraft were airborne at 11:20am and individual machines rose from the water at intervals thereafter or launched from Campania's forward deck until 17 aircraft had been sent off. One Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter was unserviceable due to salt water ingress to the engine cylinders.
At 1:05pm as they were steaming south Harwich Force captured an American freighter behind the island of Sylt.
Harwich Force completed laying mines at 2:15pm and remained on patrol. Until 5:20pm when they were advised that 14 of the 17 aircraft had returned, Campania's Camels all ditching successfully nearby and the pilots recovered without injury. The last four seaplanes landed in almost complete darkness. Grand Fleet Aviation then turned for home, the formation rendezvousing with BCF and then GF to transfer the sub-elements of the formation back to the parent organisations. Vindex, Lochinvar and Lurcher were sent on ahead to Harwich while Tyrwhitt remained patrolling the Danish coast after dark.
Channel Fleet and Dunkerque Force turned for home at 5:30pm and 6:00pm respectively having encountered no enemy.
Two Zeppelins had been seen overhead during the day, one above the Grand Fleet. The Germans therefore knew we were off the Danish coast in strength though apparently no major surface units of their fleet stirred.
At 9:20pm while patrolling in search of downed aircraft the destroyer Lark of Harwich Force struck a mine. The boat was disabled but remained afloat for over an hour, finally sinking at 10:28. Her crew was taken off by the cruiser Undaunted.
During the night the destroyer Lennox searching inshore north of Esjberg at around 9:30pm encountered Flt-Lieut. Charles Manning and his observer Sgt. Ross MacIntyre sitting atop the upper wing of their plane on the water. They had become lost on the return leg and run out of fuel and been drifting offshore for nearly four hours. Lennox took the aircraft in tow but away from the coast the sea was too choppy and the tow was cast off and the aircraft sunk by gunfire.
At 10:15pm the destroyer Meteor saw a lamp on the island of Sylt. The flash lamp was very faint but it appeared to be sending 'MKG' the RN recognition sign for the operation. Meteor put a boat ashore to find Flt-Lieut. Rossiter Calhoun and his observer Cpl. Trevor Downes. Downes was badly injured with a bullet in his leg. Their aircraft had been shot at by soldiers as they headed inland towards the target, one of the rotary engine's cylinders had been punctured and the machine lost power. Dumping his bombs on a factory at the coast Lt. Calhoun brought his aircraft down in a mere behind the low island, setting it on fire with his last two signal flares. He then found a wooden door beside a barn and putting the wounded Downes on it, dragged him the two miles to the coast and had been signalling in the hope of a Royal Navy ship seeing him.
Of the last aircraft, that of Flt-Lieut. William Parker-Dunn and his observer Ted Milsom there was no news.
Harwich Force reassembled and set course for home, the last RN ships to leave the Bight that night.
* * *
Other activity today:
8:00am AMC Gloucestershire captured a Norwegian cargo ship 37km ENE Lerwick.
9:35am AMC Arlanza captured an American steamer 90km N of Lerwick.
1:20pm Torpedoboat Nr.11 torpedoed and sunk 25km off Lowestoft.
5:35pm AMC Orbita of 10th CS captured a Swedish cargo vessel 70km SW Lemwig.
6:15pm The French destroyer Escopette captured a Swedish cargo ship 50km N Zeebrugge. Escopette captured a second Swedish cargo ship 31km NW Zeebrugge just 90 minutes later, earning her the record for the two most rapid detainments of contraband cargo we have yet seen.
8:56pm AMC Orbita of 10th CS captured a Norwegian freighter 43km WNW Lemwig.
9:00pm AMC Alcantara of 10th CS captured an American cargo ship 36km ENE of Lerwick.
29 JAN
------
At 6:00am it became apparent that our staff work had failed. None of the separate forces moving to their designated patrol areas were in position yet though each was in the correct relationship. Forces would all be approximately four hours late arriving at their deployment zones. Given that we had 5.5 hours of daylight remaining at that point this margin was considered borderline but the operation went ahead.
Beatty with the BCF arrived at his patrol position at 9:00am. Grand Fleet Aviation arrived 75km off Esjberg at 10:15am. There was barely time to deploy the seaplanes, reach Tondern and return. It would be getting dark at 4:00pm. Nevertheless the pilots and observers were all keen to undertaken the operation and the planes began being hoisted out at 10:23am. There was, however, no sign of Harwich Force which was still 30km to the SW. Channel Fleet arrived at its designated patrol area at 10:40am and Dunkerque Force at 11:00am, completing minelaying at 11:30am. Harwich Force finally rendezvoused south of the aviation squadron at 11:15am and proceeded SE to lay mines E of Tondern.
The first aircraft were airborne at 11:20am and individual machines rose from the water at intervals thereafter or launched from Campania's forward deck until 17 aircraft had been sent off. One Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter was unserviceable due to salt water ingress to the engine cylinders.
At 1:05pm as they were steaming south Harwich Force captured an American freighter behind the island of Sylt.
Harwich Force completed laying mines at 2:15pm and remained on patrol. Until 5:20pm when they were advised that 14 of the 17 aircraft had returned, Campania's Camels all ditching successfully nearby and the pilots recovered without injury. The last four seaplanes landed in almost complete darkness. Grand Fleet Aviation then turned for home, the formation rendezvousing with BCF and then GF to transfer the sub-elements of the formation back to the parent organisations. Vindex, Lochinvar and Lurcher were sent on ahead to Harwich while Tyrwhitt remained patrolling the Danish coast after dark.
Channel Fleet and Dunkerque Force turned for home at 5:30pm and 6:00pm respectively having encountered no enemy.
Two Zeppelins had been seen overhead during the day, one above the Grand Fleet. The Germans therefore knew we were off the Danish coast in strength though apparently no major surface units of their fleet stirred.
At 9:20pm while patrolling in search of downed aircraft the destroyer Lark of Harwich Force struck a mine. The boat was disabled but remained afloat for over an hour, finally sinking at 10:28. Her crew was taken off by the cruiser Undaunted.
During the night the destroyer Lennox searching inshore north of Esjberg at around 9:30pm encountered Flt-Lieut. Charles Manning and his observer Sgt. Ross MacIntyre sitting atop the upper wing of their plane on the water. They had become lost on the return leg and run out of fuel and been drifting offshore for nearly four hours. Lennox took the aircraft in tow but away from the coast the sea was too choppy and the tow was cast off and the aircraft sunk by gunfire.
At 10:15pm the destroyer Meteor saw a lamp on the island of Sylt. The flash lamp was very faint but it appeared to be sending 'MKG' the RN recognition sign for the operation. Meteor put a boat ashore to find Flt-Lieut. Rossiter Calhoun and his observer Cpl. Trevor Downes. Downes was badly injured with a bullet in his leg. Their aircraft had been shot at by soldiers as they headed inland towards the target, one of the rotary engine's cylinders had been punctured and the machine lost power. Dumping his bombs on a factory at the coast Lt. Calhoun brought his aircraft down in a mere behind the low island, setting it on fire with his last two signal flares. He then found a wooden door beside a barn and putting the wounded Downes on it, dragged him the two miles to the coast and had been signalling in the hope of a Royal Navy ship seeing him.
Of the last aircraft, that of Flt-Lieut. William Parker-Dunn and his observer Ted Milsom there was no news.
Harwich Force reassembled and set course for home, the last RN ships to leave the Bight that night.
* * *
Other activity today:
8:00am AMC Gloucestershire captured a Norwegian cargo ship 37km ENE Lerwick.
9:35am AMC Arlanza captured an American steamer 90km N of Lerwick.
1:20pm Torpedoboat Nr.11 torpedoed and sunk 25km off Lowestoft.
5:35pm AMC Orbita of 10th CS captured a Swedish cargo vessel 70km SW Lemwig.
6:15pm The French destroyer Escopette captured a Swedish cargo ship 50km N Zeebrugge. Escopette captured a second Swedish cargo ship 31km NW Zeebrugge just 90 minutes later, earning her the record for the two most rapid detainments of contraband cargo we have yet seen.
8:56pm AMC Orbita of 10th CS captured a Norwegian freighter 43km WNW Lemwig.
9:00pm AMC Alcantara of 10th CS captured an American cargo ship 36km ENE of Lerwick.
saddletank
Forum Conscript
Re: 1916 Campaign
30 JAN
------
6:15am AMC Changuinola of 10th CS captured a Swedish merchant 27km NW of Lerwick.
7:42am AMC Almanzora of 10th CS captured an American cargo ship in the northern Skagerrak.
10:00am AMC Almanzora of 10th CS captured a Norweigan cargo ship in the southern Skagerrak.
10:20am Channel Fleet returned to port.
12:06pm Harwich Aviation returned to port.
3:31pm Dunkerque Force returned to port.
4:37pm Harwich Force returned to port.
6:00pm AMC Orcoma of 10th CS captured a Norwegian cargo ship 120km E of Lerwick.
6:09pm Battlecruiser Fleet returned to port.
7:26pm Harwich Force, refuelled and rearmed, left port to lay mines at Horns Reef.
8:00pm Grand Fleet returned to port. The Tondern Raid was considered useful, though not wholly successful. Our losses were one 'L' Class destroyer and three seaplanes, one of them with their crew. Aviators are being debriefed and at this time the effects and damage of their bombing raid is unknown.
9:16pm AMC Armadale Castle of 10th CS captured a Swedish cargo ship 145km ESE Lerwick.
9:50pm A daring minelaying operation was planned to use Dunkerque Force and ML Pluton to strengthen the Horns Reef field. It has been considered out of range of the Dunkerque Force destroyers but the ships will go to the Humber and take on additional coal there before proceeding to conduct the operation.
31 JAN
------
12:31am AMC Hilary of 10th CS captured a neutral merchant ship 114km ENE Lerwick.
12:50am 1st flotilla Dover Patrol ordered to conduct a sweep of the Flanders and Dutch coasts. 2nd Flotilla ordered to proceed up the North Sea and penetrate the northern entrance of the Ems, there to patrol and capture any merchant shipping or report any movements of enemy warships.
8:20am AMC Moldavia of 10th CS captured a neutral cargo vessel 150km E Lerwick.
2:00pm Dunkerque Force entered the Humber and began coaling off Hull.
2:59pm en-route to lay mines off Tondern, destroyer Lucifer of 9th Flotilla struck a mine at 55deg 9min N, 8deg 7min E. At 3:17pm she sank. Our losses to mines in the Bight have reached a point where further sweeps appear less and less productive.
4:22pm 2nd Flotilla Dover Patrol reached their allotted patrol area in the Ems estuary near Borkum and Juist Islands at 53deg 38min N 6deg 47min E.
6:00pm AMC Columbella of 10th CS captured a neutral cargo ship 61km NNW Lemwig.
8:00pm 25kn WNW Emden Dover Patrol captured a neutral cargo vessel leaving Emden.
8:12pm 35km NW Emden submarine D.4 was on the surface running her diesels to charge her batteries when she noted a group of ships approaching from the east. She dived to periscope depth and observed two small two-funnelled cruisers with pronounced ram bows go past her position course 260 with four small torpedo craft astern. Minutes later a second pair of small cruisers passed from east to west. From the description by D.4s commander these would appear to be Thetis class cruisers which we have encountered before on patrol in the Bight. It is our considerable misfortune to have sent 5 Tribal Class destroyers there tonight unsupported by the usual cruisers. The Dover Patrol boats are in fact very vulnerable where they are. Harwich Force is returning from Tondern outside the main barrier and Commodore Tyrwhitt was ordered to make all speed to the D.4s reported position, sending his minelaying and aviation vessels back to Harwich with an escort.
10:09pm Leftenant Mortimer of D.4 reported hearing an explosion and observing from a stationary position on the surface saw that one of the enemy cruisers had struck a mine, or had been torpedoed by one of the other British boats on patrol south of the mine barrier. The cruiser continued slowly eastwards past his position with a second cruiser in close attendance.
Mortimer reported again at 11:55pm that the mine damage to the enemy cruiser did not seem to be serious since she remained on patrol, the four cruisers and four small destroyers were moving back and forth in the channel as he stayed nearby reporting their movements and recording their call sign lamps.
30 JAN
------
6:15am AMC Changuinola of 10th CS captured a Swedish merchant 27km NW of Lerwick.
7:42am AMC Almanzora of 10th CS captured an American cargo ship in the northern Skagerrak.
10:00am AMC Almanzora of 10th CS captured a Norweigan cargo ship in the southern Skagerrak.
10:20am Channel Fleet returned to port.
12:06pm Harwich Aviation returned to port.
3:31pm Dunkerque Force returned to port.
4:37pm Harwich Force returned to port.
6:00pm AMC Orcoma of 10th CS captured a Norwegian cargo ship 120km E of Lerwick.
6:09pm Battlecruiser Fleet returned to port.
7:26pm Harwich Force, refuelled and rearmed, left port to lay mines at Horns Reef.
8:00pm Grand Fleet returned to port. The Tondern Raid was considered useful, though not wholly successful. Our losses were one 'L' Class destroyer and three seaplanes, one of them with their crew. Aviators are being debriefed and at this time the effects and damage of their bombing raid is unknown.
9:16pm AMC Armadale Castle of 10th CS captured a Swedish cargo ship 145km ESE Lerwick.
9:50pm A daring minelaying operation was planned to use Dunkerque Force and ML Pluton to strengthen the Horns Reef field. It has been considered out of range of the Dunkerque Force destroyers but the ships will go to the Humber and take on additional coal there before proceeding to conduct the operation.
31 JAN
------
12:31am AMC Hilary of 10th CS captured a neutral merchant ship 114km ENE Lerwick.
12:50am 1st flotilla Dover Patrol ordered to conduct a sweep of the Flanders and Dutch coasts. 2nd Flotilla ordered to proceed up the North Sea and penetrate the northern entrance of the Ems, there to patrol and capture any merchant shipping or report any movements of enemy warships.
8:20am AMC Moldavia of 10th CS captured a neutral cargo vessel 150km E Lerwick.
2:00pm Dunkerque Force entered the Humber and began coaling off Hull.
2:59pm en-route to lay mines off Tondern, destroyer Lucifer of 9th Flotilla struck a mine at 55deg 9min N, 8deg 7min E. At 3:17pm she sank. Our losses to mines in the Bight have reached a point where further sweeps appear less and less productive.
4:22pm 2nd Flotilla Dover Patrol reached their allotted patrol area in the Ems estuary near Borkum and Juist Islands at 53deg 38min N 6deg 47min E.
6:00pm AMC Columbella of 10th CS captured a neutral cargo ship 61km NNW Lemwig.
8:00pm 25kn WNW Emden Dover Patrol captured a neutral cargo vessel leaving Emden.
8:12pm 35km NW Emden submarine D.4 was on the surface running her diesels to charge her batteries when she noted a group of ships approaching from the east. She dived to periscope depth and observed two small two-funnelled cruisers with pronounced ram bows go past her position course 260 with four small torpedo craft astern. Minutes later a second pair of small cruisers passed from east to west. From the description by D.4s commander these would appear to be Thetis class cruisers which we have encountered before on patrol in the Bight. It is our considerable misfortune to have sent 5 Tribal Class destroyers there tonight unsupported by the usual cruisers. The Dover Patrol boats are in fact very vulnerable where they are. Harwich Force is returning from Tondern outside the main barrier and Commodore Tyrwhitt was ordered to make all speed to the D.4s reported position, sending his minelaying and aviation vessels back to Harwich with an escort.
10:09pm Leftenant Mortimer of D.4 reported hearing an explosion and observing from a stationary position on the surface saw that one of the enemy cruisers had struck a mine, or had been torpedoed by one of the other British boats on patrol south of the mine barrier. The cruiser continued slowly eastwards past his position with a second cruiser in close attendance.
Mortimer reported again at 11:55pm that the mine damage to the enemy cruiser did not seem to be serious since she remained on patrol, the four cruisers and four small destroyers were moving back and forth in the channel as he stayed nearby reporting their movements and recording their call sign lamps.
saddletank
Forum Conscript
Re: 1916 Campaign
1 FEB
------
At 12:23am Tyrwhitt wirelessed that he had arrived at D.4s reported location and was commencing a sweep for the German patrol vessels, a group of ships he was keen to meet since they had eluded him on more than one occasion before.
12:53am 75km NW Emden, Tyrwhitt found the adversaries he had been seeking to bring to battle for weeks. His own ship, Arethusa was leading Conquest as the centre pair of the screen, on his starboard beam, 4,000m distant Undaunted led Aurora. On his port beam, or to the north was Cleopatra. Penelope of course was absent due to the damage caused by the mine she struck here on the 27th. Astern of Arethusa and Conquest 9th and 10th Flotillas were some 3,000m distant: 14 L Class boats in the port column, 16 M Class and the flotilla leader Nimrod in the starboard.
Directly ahead of Tyrwhitt's flagship bearing 090 and steering 270 at 20kts appeared two Thetis class enemy cruisers and four small destroyers. The cruisers turned to port and the British ships to starboard and a point blank exchange began in which Arethusa was hit immediately numerous times having both pairs of torpedo tubes disabled and her 12pdr AA gun. Once again it was noted that the night fighting training of the German cruiser crews was very good. Astern of her Conquest was not fired upon and was able to shoot back effectively and both enemy cruisers turned to the east and began to withdraw though they were hit repeatedly and began to slow down. Beyond them, the four destroyers that had been astern also reversed course.
Undaunted and Aurora closed on the action from the SW heading on course 055 and turning to 081 to bring the enemy under fire at a range of 1,500m though a torpedo track was sighted and Undaunted turned away immediately to 164. The two German cruisers were identified as the Nymphe and Medusa; Undaunted and Aurora engaged the first mentioned which was now leading the German pair and Arethusa and Conquest the second ship.
Steaming down from the NW at high speed on course 158, Cleopatra engaged the easternmost German destroyer, her captain hoping that by disabling the leading boat in the formation he might slow their escape as much as possible.
The Nymphe was soon very battered and ablaze in several places. Medusa passed her to port and the two small ships fought bravely on, the four destroyers escaping. More torpedo tracks were seen running and a second time our cruisers turned away enabling the enemy destroyers to slip off into the darkness.
The starboard turn of Arethusa and Conquest was followed by a turn to port which brought Tyrwhitt's two ships into formation astern of the Undaunted and and Aurora.
10th DF however now arrived and passing on the starboard or disengaged side of Tyrwhitt's battle line Nimrod led the M Class boats in pursuit of the retreating Germans at 34knots. So often the RN crews had been frustrated by seeing these German boats slip away in the fog, rain or dark and several British destroyers had been lost in operations while searching for them. Tonight no man was prepared to see them escape once more. There were scores to settle.
At 1:08am Cleopatra reported two more ships to the east, to the north of the destroyers. These were soon revealed as Thetis and Niobe, the first named limping along at only 10kts - the mine damage she had suffered which Leftenant Mortimer of D.4 had reported.
As the boats of 9th and 10th Flotilla surged past the crippled Nymphe and Medusa they opened fire with their 4" guns, smothering the German ships with hits.
The four destroyers were the V.161, V.162, V.163 and V.164.
The German boats were entirely outclassed and by 1:25am all were battered and disabled, most were sinking. The Nymphe rolled over and sank at about 1:26am and the V.162 two minutes later. Cleopatra turned back to find and finish off the Medusa while Tyrwhitt took Arethusa and Conquest to locate the drifting and burning Niobe and sink her. The V.161 and V.164 sank at about 1:33am and the last destroyer, V.164 a minute later. Thetis sank at 1:36am, and the Medusa, after a brave fight in the finest tradition against 9th Flotilla and Cleopatra, Undaunted and Aurora, sank at 1:44am, rolling over until she lay upside down before disappearing.
Niobe fled east at her best speed and it took until 1:55am before she sank after a chase and point blank range duel with Arethusa and Conquest.
Tyrwhitt turned his ships for home but it had been a bloody little battle: of our cruisers only Aurora was not hit. In 10th flotilla Mentor had been hit twice and her stern 4" gun disabled. 9th Flotilla however had suffered the worst loss. While closing to point blank range to finish off the sinking Nymphe and the still fighting Medusa no less than five destroyers were slightly damaged and two - Linnet and Lydiard - foundered during the night voyage home.
The loss of three modern destroyers during this operation was considered, on balance, acceptable for the sinking of four old cruisers and four old destroyers. While not modern units and no threat outside of German defensive waters, all of these vessels had been instrumental in interdicting our maritime trade and were a constant concern to our mine laying operations. Losses in 9th Flotilla have reduced the unit to 12 boats. Their Lordships require that at the earliest opportunity when new builds become available that the L Class boats be assigned to patrol work and 9th Flotilla be re-equipped with M Class boats displaced from elsewhere in the fleet.
11:20am 2nd Flotilla, Dover Patrol was on station 100km NW Emden when smoke was sighted at 26km bearing 106. Saracen, leading the patrol which also comprised the boats Crusader, Nubian, Viking and Zulu, ordered steam for full speed towards the enemy which was thought to be a single destroyer, now heading on 106 back towards the Bight. Our boats crews settled in for a long chase.
We were unsure if the enemy would turn south to the Ems or continue east along the Frisian coast. Commander Bishop, therefore split his flotilla, directing Viking and Zulu from the rear of his formation to make towards the Ems while he kept on towards the Norderney coast with three boats.
The enemy boat did begin to turn into the Ems but then, when beyond Juist, swung to port and made along the coast inside the Frisian Islands. Viking and Zulu went in pursuit while Saracen's sub-flotilla kept on course 098 to try and cut the German boat off from the Jade at the eastern end of Norderney.
At 1:13pm Saracen cleared the island and the German boat was 9,000m ahead to the SE against the coast. Bishop opened fire on the German which replied, hitting Saracen with her second shot which destroyed the starboard 2pdr pom-pom.
By 1:30pm the range was at 5,800m but the British destroyers were unable to secure a hit. At 1:40pm we were well behind the island of Spiekeroog and shooting at ranges of 4,700m but still unsuccessfully. Once the enemy boat reached the Jade we would be forced to break off the pursuit.
Finally at 1:45pm with the range under 4,000m Crusader obtained a hit, Saracen scoring one a minute later, then Crusader a second moments after that. The enemy speed dropped off slightly. At 1:48 Crusader got a third hit.
We were hampered by patches of poor visibility with coastal haze lying inshore making shooting problematic. No more hits were obtained until 1:52pm when Nubian scored a hit. She then got a second a minute later.
The range was now only 2,000m and the enemy's speed had fallen to 26kts. The Jade entrance was upon us however and the smoke of vessels working up steam could be seen beyond the headland. Some very large shells began to grumble overhead and burst a mile beyond our boats, so turning away we retired; our small but gallant adversary somewhat knocked about but looking as though she would survive.
4:55pm the Dover boats were withdrawing across the Bight when in the gathering dusk a ship was seen behind them. It appeared to be the boat we had chased into the Jade earlier and was shadowing us, 5000m astern. Our flotilla turned about to course 100 and poured on the speed to attack. Frustratingly the enemy once again slipped away in the darkness.
6:10pm Dunkerque Force left their temporary base in the Humber to lay mines in the northern Bight entrance.
7:15pm a rather battered but successful Harwich Force returned to base. The ships were all stood down to rest and conduct repairs. The mine layer Abdiel and the destroyers Lochinvar and Lurcher escorting were ordered to Horns Reef to lay more mines.
= = = = = = = = =
MERCANTILE BLOCKADE OPERATIONS, 1st Feb
Five neutrals captured:
7:30am Destroyer Myrmidon of Scapa Defence Patrol captured a Swedish merchant ship in the western Pentland Firth, 66km WSW Stromness.
8:00am 13km SE of Lerwick, AMC Patia captured an American blockade runner.
10:35am 145km NE Lerwick, AMC Arlanza captured a Swedish blockade runner.
3:55pm AMC Mantua of 10th CS captured a Swedish cargo ship 50km NW of Stavanger.
8:22pm 47km SW Lowestoft, TB Nr.9 of Lowestoft Patrol captured a Swedish merchantman.
= = = = = = = = =
1 FEB
------
At 12:23am Tyrwhitt wirelessed that he had arrived at D.4s reported location and was commencing a sweep for the German patrol vessels, a group of ships he was keen to meet since they had eluded him on more than one occasion before.
12:53am 75km NW Emden, Tyrwhitt found the adversaries he had been seeking to bring to battle for weeks. His own ship, Arethusa was leading Conquest as the centre pair of the screen, on his starboard beam, 4,000m distant Undaunted led Aurora. On his port beam, or to the north was Cleopatra. Penelope of course was absent due to the damage caused by the mine she struck here on the 27th. Astern of Arethusa and Conquest 9th and 10th Flotillas were some 3,000m distant: 14 L Class boats in the port column, 16 M Class and the flotilla leader Nimrod in the starboard.
Directly ahead of Tyrwhitt's flagship bearing 090 and steering 270 at 20kts appeared two Thetis class enemy cruisers and four small destroyers. The cruisers turned to port and the British ships to starboard and a point blank exchange began in which Arethusa was hit immediately numerous times having both pairs of torpedo tubes disabled and her 12pdr AA gun. Once again it was noted that the night fighting training of the German cruiser crews was very good. Astern of her Conquest was not fired upon and was able to shoot back effectively and both enemy cruisers turned to the east and began to withdraw though they were hit repeatedly and began to slow down. Beyond them, the four destroyers that had been astern also reversed course.
Undaunted and Aurora closed on the action from the SW heading on course 055 and turning to 081 to bring the enemy under fire at a range of 1,500m though a torpedo track was sighted and Undaunted turned away immediately to 164. The two German cruisers were identified as the Nymphe and Medusa; Undaunted and Aurora engaged the first mentioned which was now leading the German pair and Arethusa and Conquest the second ship.
Steaming down from the NW at high speed on course 158, Cleopatra engaged the easternmost German destroyer, her captain hoping that by disabling the leading boat in the formation he might slow their escape as much as possible.
The Nymphe was soon very battered and ablaze in several places. Medusa passed her to port and the two small ships fought bravely on, the four destroyers escaping. More torpedo tracks were seen running and a second time our cruisers turned away enabling the enemy destroyers to slip off into the darkness.
The starboard turn of Arethusa and Conquest was followed by a turn to port which brought Tyrwhitt's two ships into formation astern of the Undaunted and and Aurora.
10th DF however now arrived and passing on the starboard or disengaged side of Tyrwhitt's battle line Nimrod led the M Class boats in pursuit of the retreating Germans at 34knots. So often the RN crews had been frustrated by seeing these German boats slip away in the fog, rain or dark and several British destroyers had been lost in operations while searching for them. Tonight no man was prepared to see them escape once more. There were scores to settle.
At 1:08am Cleopatra reported two more ships to the east, to the north of the destroyers. These were soon revealed as Thetis and Niobe, the first named limping along at only 10kts - the mine damage she had suffered which Leftenant Mortimer of D.4 had reported.
As the boats of 9th and 10th Flotilla surged past the crippled Nymphe and Medusa they opened fire with their 4" guns, smothering the German ships with hits.
The four destroyers were the V.161, V.162, V.163 and V.164.
The German boats were entirely outclassed and by 1:25am all were battered and disabled, most were sinking. The Nymphe rolled over and sank at about 1:26am and the V.162 two minutes later. Cleopatra turned back to find and finish off the Medusa while Tyrwhitt took Arethusa and Conquest to locate the drifting and burning Niobe and sink her. The V.161 and V.164 sank at about 1:33am and the last destroyer, V.164 a minute later. Thetis sank at 1:36am, and the Medusa, after a brave fight in the finest tradition against 9th Flotilla and Cleopatra, Undaunted and Aurora, sank at 1:44am, rolling over until she lay upside down before disappearing.
Niobe fled east at her best speed and it took until 1:55am before she sank after a chase and point blank range duel with Arethusa and Conquest.
Tyrwhitt turned his ships for home but it had been a bloody little battle: of our cruisers only Aurora was not hit. In 10th flotilla Mentor had been hit twice and her stern 4" gun disabled. 9th Flotilla however had suffered the worst loss. While closing to point blank range to finish off the sinking Nymphe and the still fighting Medusa no less than five destroyers were slightly damaged and two - Linnet and Lydiard - foundered during the night voyage home.
The loss of three modern destroyers during this operation was considered, on balance, acceptable for the sinking of four old cruisers and four old destroyers. While not modern units and no threat outside of German defensive waters, all of these vessels had been instrumental in interdicting our maritime trade and were a constant concern to our mine laying operations. Losses in 9th Flotilla have reduced the unit to 12 boats. Their Lordships require that at the earliest opportunity when new builds become available that the L Class boats be assigned to patrol work and 9th Flotilla be re-equipped with M Class boats displaced from elsewhere in the fleet.
11:20am 2nd Flotilla, Dover Patrol was on station 100km NW Emden when smoke was sighted at 26km bearing 106. Saracen, leading the patrol which also comprised the boats Crusader, Nubian, Viking and Zulu, ordered steam for full speed towards the enemy which was thought to be a single destroyer, now heading on 106 back towards the Bight. Our boats crews settled in for a long chase.
We were unsure if the enemy would turn south to the Ems or continue east along the Frisian coast. Commander Bishop, therefore split his flotilla, directing Viking and Zulu from the rear of his formation to make towards the Ems while he kept on towards the Norderney coast with three boats.
The enemy boat did begin to turn into the Ems but then, when beyond Juist, swung to port and made along the coast inside the Frisian Islands. Viking and Zulu went in pursuit while Saracen's sub-flotilla kept on course 098 to try and cut the German boat off from the Jade at the eastern end of Norderney.
At 1:13pm Saracen cleared the island and the German boat was 9,000m ahead to the SE against the coast. Bishop opened fire on the German which replied, hitting Saracen with her second shot which destroyed the starboard 2pdr pom-pom.
By 1:30pm the range was at 5,800m but the British destroyers were unable to secure a hit. At 1:40pm we were well behind the island of Spiekeroog and shooting at ranges of 4,700m but still unsuccessfully. Once the enemy boat reached the Jade we would be forced to break off the pursuit.
Finally at 1:45pm with the range under 4,000m Crusader obtained a hit, Saracen scoring one a minute later, then Crusader a second moments after that. The enemy speed dropped off slightly. At 1:48 Crusader got a third hit.
We were hampered by patches of poor visibility with coastal haze lying inshore making shooting problematic. No more hits were obtained until 1:52pm when Nubian scored a hit. She then got a second a minute later.
The range was now only 2,000m and the enemy's speed had fallen to 26kts. The Jade entrance was upon us however and the smoke of vessels working up steam could be seen beyond the headland. Some very large shells began to grumble overhead and burst a mile beyond our boats, so turning away we retired; our small but gallant adversary somewhat knocked about but looking as though she would survive.
4:55pm the Dover boats were withdrawing across the Bight when in the gathering dusk a ship was seen behind them. It appeared to be the boat we had chased into the Jade earlier and was shadowing us, 5000m astern. Our flotilla turned about to course 100 and poured on the speed to attack. Frustratingly the enemy once again slipped away in the darkness.
6:10pm Dunkerque Force left their temporary base in the Humber to lay mines in the northern Bight entrance.
7:15pm a rather battered but successful Harwich Force returned to base. The ships were all stood down to rest and conduct repairs. The mine layer Abdiel and the destroyers Lochinvar and Lurcher escorting were ordered to Horns Reef to lay more mines.
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MERCANTILE BLOCKADE OPERATIONS, 1st Feb
Five neutrals captured:
7:30am Destroyer Myrmidon of Scapa Defence Patrol captured a Swedish merchant ship in the western Pentland Firth, 66km WSW Stromness.
8:00am 13km SE of Lerwick, AMC Patia captured an American blockade runner.
10:35am 145km NE Lerwick, AMC Arlanza captured a Swedish blockade runner.
3:55pm AMC Mantua of 10th CS captured a Swedish cargo ship 50km NW of Stavanger.
8:22pm 47km SW Lowestoft, TB Nr.9 of Lowestoft Patrol captured a Swedish merchantman.
= = = = = = = = =
bill44
Member
Re: 1916 Campaign
Keep em comming mate. These are gold.
Keep em comming mate. These are gold.
saddletank
Forum Conscript
Re: 1916 Campaign
I will, I am just taking a break from my RN campaign to play the KM one. The RN one had gone into a 'quiet' phase and was a little boring but I'll get back to it. I'm currently putting together a summary of the first months operations.
I will, I am just taking a break from my RN campaign to play the KM one. The RN one had gone into a 'quiet' phase and was a little boring but I'll get back to it. I'm currently putting together a summary of the first months operations.